DeMarcus Ware has had an aching back since he first injured it in Week 5 against the Raiders. That’s old news.
But now that it’s June 1, Ware’s lingering back pain has become a mounting cause for concern. He’s been held out of OTAs the last week, and it’s quite possible he’s nearing the end of his illustrious career.
Ware, a Troy State product drafted by the Cowboys in 2005, has already signed a restructured contract worth $6.5 million with a $2 million bonus, as reported by the Denver Post.
This begs the question: Should Ware hang up his cleats once and for all?
“If he can’t go, yes, he should retire,” David Hurlbut said this morning on Mile High Sports Radio. “If he’s going to risk some type of permanent injury, yes, he should retire.”
The truth, though, is likely far less severe. While it’s concerning that Ware is still dealing with back pain, it is just OTAs; they’re mandatory, as is. If this drags on into training camp and the regular season, then maybe there’s real reason to be worried, but even then, we all saw how well Ware played in the playoffs last season, and it’s hard to imagine his back was any better then.
What’s more likely is that Ware takes on less of an every-down role and becomes more of a situational pass rusher. That way they’ll get the best of what Ware has to offer when it matters most, and they’ll be able to get more playing time from Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett.
To hear more about Ware and his injury, listen to the podcast below …
https://soundcloud.com/milehighsports/6-1-16-just-how-good-are-chris-harris-cover-skills-how-bad-is-demarcus-wares-back-mh
Catch The Morning Huddle with David Hurlbut Weekdays from 6a-7a on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or stream live any time for the best coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.
